The Wire

Banning Lewis Ranch plan includes two additional public meetings

Much of the Banning Lewis Ranch looks like this. It's never been developed. The city proposed to change the rules so that the land can be converted into homes and businesses.

So far, nobody's saying why the schedule of Banning Lewis Ranch approvals has been extended by two months.

Originally, Mayor John Suthers' administration proposed a series of meetings that would conclude with City Council's second reading (final approval) on Feb. 27.

As of this morning, Jan. 22, things have changed. Now, two townhall meetings have been added, one in February and one in March.

Under the revised schedule, Council would approve the new annexation agreement on April 24.

Asked about the change, the city's economic development officer Bob Cope says in an email, "The BLR schedule has been revised based upon City Council input."

Some City Council members have asked for more time to digest the sweeping agreement that will replace the existing annexation agreement adopted in 1988. The current document requires developers to pay for nearly all public infrastructure, both onsite and in adjacent areas, which carries a price tag of about $1 billion.

But Councilor Tom Strand tells the Independent, "I want to take the time it takes to make sure we have all of our questions answered. I’m not ready to vote on this. The initial schedule showed us voting by end of February. I’m not ready to vote by the end of February."